8th International Intensive Course on Shia Studies to be Held in Iran

Organized by the University of Religions and Denominations, the Shi’a Intensive Course endeavors to enhance scholarly attention to Shi’a Islam and offer an original and insightful understanding of its history, doctrines, and practices.

Shi’a Islam, with its rich and extensive history, has played a crucial role in the evolution of Islam as both a major faith and a civilization. Shi’a Muslims account for approximately 15 percent of the total Muslim population in the world; Shi’ism has the greatest influence in the contemporary world in Iran where nearly 90 percent of Muslims are Shi’as.

Organized by the University of Religions and Denominations, the Shi’a Intensive Course endeavors to enhance scholarly attention to Shi’a Islam and offer an original and insightful understanding of its history, doctrines, and practices. Combining the classical Shi’ite thought and the current political, social, and religious concerns of Shi’ite society in Iran, this program aims to offer scholarly perspectives on challenging issues that affect contemporary Iran.

The Shiʿa Intensive Course gives you the chance to develop your skills and knowledge, expand your international experience, and study unique and interesting subjects focusing on Shi’ism, Islam, and Iran. The course provides 28 hours of specialized lectures by experts of the field (along with Q & A sessions and free discussion) per week.

Taking part in URD’s Shiʿa Intensive Course is the perfect way to enjoy one of the world’s most unique cities, Qom. Our social programs let you experience the best of the city, while our class schedule provides plenty of opportunities to explore Shi’a Islam in Iran. You could even opt for an extra 3-day cultural tour to truly immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere that Iran has to offer.

The whole program is accredited by the University of Religions and Denominations. Participants will attend pre-planned workshops and lectures presented in English, and a special certificate will be awarded to each participant upon successful completion and meeting program requirements.

Mian Contents:

Shia and Modern Iran

Shia Authority and Political Thought

Shia Doctrine, Rituals and Everyday Life

Academic Workshop

This one-week workshop is designed to provide participants with the foundational knowledge, spiritual understanding, and critical thinking skills required to understand Shi’ism in the contemporary world. The workshop aims to connect scholars from a variety of disciplines and countries to study the role of Shiʿa Islam in modern Iran.
The class topics aim to immerse participants into the rich intellectual and spiritual traditions of Shi’a Islam in order to provide them with the holistic grounding and vision of Shi’a in Iran. Topics will include Shi’i doctrines, rituals, ethics, mysticism, political thought, and contemporary challenges.
The goal is to not simply provide an academic overview of the subjects, but to continuously put these various aspects into conversation with the Shi’a Islamic thought. Participants are expected to gain the opportunity to discuss contemporary Islamic issues with renowned scholars in their respective fields.

Social Program
In Social Program we are taking full advantage of our location at one of the pinnacles of Shiite civilization, Mashhad. For those interested in Shi’i Islamic Studies, very few places are as exciting as Mashhad. The city is counted as one of the focal centers of the Shi’a both in Iran and around the globe, and is considered holy for embracing the Imam Reza’s Holy Shrine.
The social program lets you experience the best of Mashhad in the spare time. With our handpicked social activities, you can explore the history, beauty and religious atmosphere of the city, while taking part in your class schedules. From unmissable sightseeing of Holy Shrine and Astan Quds Razavi to the exquisite museums and meeting with Grand Ayatollahs, the social program brings to you an enriching adventure to complement your academic course.

Cultural Tour
For those who pursue to enrich their experience of Iran, this optional 3-day tour of Iran would be of interest. Follow in pilgrims’ footsteps and explore the history of old Persia and the spirit of the new Iran. Discover magnificent monuments, artworks, and sights and deeper insight into this ancient land. Wander the streets of the Capital and spend a memorable night in the wonderful desert, and witness spectacular Mosques, Temples, Synagogues and Churches in Iran.

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